Posted on 09/21/2021 6:22:51 PM PDT by massmike
Every firehouse has its comedian, a firefighter who lightens the mood. For Station 51, the Los Angeles County Fire Department house seen in the pioneering procedural Emergency! that class clown was Chester "Chet" Kelly. Played by Tim Donnelly, Chet brought levity to the rescue series, playing practical jokes and wisecracking with his colleagues. Particularly John Cage.
The series meant a lot to those in emergency medical services — and even helped to propagate paramedic services across America. This is why news of Donnelly's death came not from Hollywood trade publications but rather from the Los Angeles County Fire Museum.
The LACFM wrote on Facebook:
"We at the Fire Museum are heartbroken as we sure all of you will be as well regarding the following news. It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our friend, Tim Donnelly, this weekend. Tim, as you know, played Chet Kelly on the show Emergency! among many other roles during his acting career. To all the Emergency! fans, we want you to know that he was very excited about coming to the Museum in January for the 50th Anniversary. Many of the Museum Board Members have great memories of Tim from our time on Project 51 and personal contact."
(Excerpt) Read more at metv.com ...
I remember watching Emergency!. I was around 10 years old. I remember episodes where they would have to be creative about how they rescued someone who was trapped, etc. It did make me think about the heroes in real life who have to quickly decide on the best way to help or rescue someone. The show was a nice change from the police, shoot ‘em up type of shows.
And what the bloody daylights was this “D5W” they were always injecting?
I’ve worked with fire fighters for almost 30 years and this is the thing I most admire about them and for which they don’t get enough credit. They are amazingly resourceful and will always find a way to get things done even under stress and in the most bizarre situations.
Same here. She told me she didn’t like you as much!
During the 1970s I worked in several states developing improved EMS systems. The TV series Emergency was an invaluable aid in getting public opinion focused on EMS. People began asking government officials why there were no equivalents of paramedics Johhny & Roy in their communities. All of us EMS types rarely missed Emergency unless we were out on a call.
D5W is dextrose 5% in water
RIP.
D5W = 5% sugar in distilled water
The movie “Mother, Jugs and Speed” was amazingly realistic of what EMS was back 40 years or so ago.
I was going to post that I hoped it was just another prank by the Phantom.
I watched Emergency every Saturday night when I was a kid, hence my FR screen name
Me too. All In The Family and the Carol Burnett Show were two others that aired Saturday nights back to back
Played by Julie London. Married to Jack Webb by the way. (Dragnet)
She then married Bobby Troop.
I used to watch this show every Saturday night.
Man. Life was so much simpler then.
#33 & 34 and Jack Webb bought a house right next door to his ex-wife and her new husband....
Hmmm... maybe Jack was wound too tight.
I remember that ending too where he was receiving psychiatric treatment. THen again, the crimes he was charged with was not dressing up ala cosplay before it’s time but the crimes he committed in breaking and entering and stealing movie advertising props, comics and so on.
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